Exterior Vehicle Heating System

ABSTRACT

An exterior vehicle heating system for melting snow and ice is provided. The exterior vehicle heating system comprises a vehicle having a plurality of wheels with each wheel having a tire, each wheel mounted within a wheel well, and each wheel well having a front side and a rear side. A heat pump is mounted within the vehicle with the heat pump generating heated air. A solar system is mounted to the vehicle with the solar system powering the heat pump. A series of tubing extends from the heat pump to an area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires. Upon activation of the heat pump, the heated air travels from the heat pump to the area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/402,893 filed Sep. 30, 2016, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Solar Heating Control Unit,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of exterior vehicle heating systems, and re specifically to an exterior vehicle heating system featuring integrated solar powered heating elements that distributes heat to the areas surrounding the auto's wheels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Every day, millions of poop e climb into their automobiles and head off for a day of work, school, or recreation. Whether a busy executive traveling to an important business luncheon, a homemaker dropping the kids off at a school dance, or a professional delivery man making his rounds, automobiles offer a simple and efficient means of traveling from one destination to the next. During the winter months, driving one's vehicle usually first involves scraping the vehicle windshield, windows, and exterior body of accumulated frost, ice, or snow. This task is particularly common for those who live in apartments, condominiums, mobile homes, or houses which lack a covered garage, carport, or similar sheltered area in which to park their vehicle. Additionally, parking one's vehicle in the open air even for a few hours can result in the vehicle being covered in a thick blanket of ice or snow, with the vehicle wheel wells completely buried in the accumulation.

Unfortunately, cleaning a vehicle of this debris can be a difficult and time consuming task. Requiring the driver to stand in the frigid air as they lean and stretch over their windshield or heave a shovel around the wheels and tires in an attempt to remove the snowy buildup, manually clearing snow often results in the driver becoming wet, cold, and disheveled. Obviously, shoveling tasks are physically demanding, so much so that people over the age of fifty are cautioned not to perform this laborious job as it could be dangerous, especially for those who are not physically fit.

The prior art has put forth several designs for exterior vehicle heating systems. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,693,630 to Dwayne R. Mitchell describes a snow melting system for heating a vehicle to melt snow and ice from an exterior of the vehicle includes a vehicle. A power supply is positioned in the vehicle. Each of a plurality of heating elements extends through a portion of an exterior surface of the vehicle. Each of the heating elements is electrically coupled to the power supply. The power supply supplies power to the heating elements to heat the ting elements to melt ice and snow from the exterior surface of the vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,861 to Thomas M. Northrop describes a window anti-icing/deicing apparatus and method spreading deicing agents onto the outside surface of the windshield and windows of a mobile vehicle and aircraft. The system includes a container connected to a pump or a solenoid for directing the deicing agent to a suction side of the pump through an outlet in to the container. The deicing agent is supplied to a propeller and then via a distributor distributed onto targeted surfaces. Nozzles are provided for expressing the deicing agents onto surfaces. A power supply is connected to the system to operate the pump and the propeller for activating the deicing system. Deicing agents are supplied to windows, locks, doors, undercarriages, tires, and pavement surfaces.

The system is also operable with a solenoid connected to the container. A computer, either provided onboard or remotely, controls the system. Sensors sense conditions around vehicles and relay information to the computers that process and trigger the system to start/stop the deicing process. The system has inbuilt switching to turn the system on or off and to reset the system and to sense if windows are open.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,450 to Christopher E. Snow describes a solar powered heating and ventilation system that maintains an unoccupied vehicle at a more comfortable temperature relative to the outside temperature using both heating and cooling as appropriate. The system uses an air duct having a fan, heating element, vents, flaps, a selector switch, power control circuitry, a thermostat, and a clock/timer. The system also uses an electronic solar power panel and battery as power source. The thermostat senses air temperature and causes the power control circuitry to regulate the temperature. The clock/timer may be manually set to activate and/or deactivate the power control circuitry at predetermined times. The system provides power to the fan and heating elements via a selector switch and power control circuits. The power control circuitry is connected to the vehicle battery and electronic solar power cells. The duct is located on the interior ceiling of the vehicle and has at least three vents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an exterior vehicle eating system featuring integrated, solar powered heating elements that distributes heat to the areas surrounding the auto's wheels.

The present invention is an exterior vehicle heating system for melting snow and ice. The exterior vehicle heating system comprises a vehicle having a plurality of wheels with each wheel having a tire, each wheel mounted within a wheel well, and each wheel well having a front side and a rear side. A heat pump is mounted within the vehicle with the heat pump generating heated air. A solar system is mounted to the vehicle with the solar system powering the heat pump. A series of tubing extends from the heat pump to an area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires. Upon activation of the heat pump, the heated air travels from the heat pump to the area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires.

In addition, the present invention includes a method for melting snow and ice. The method comprises providing a vehicle having a plurality of wheels with each heel having a tire, each wheel mounted within a wheel well, and each wheel well having a front side and a rear side, mounting a heat pump within the vehicle mounting a solar system to the vehicle, powering the heat pump with the solar system, extending a series of tubing from the heat pump to an area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires, activating the heat pump, generating heated air, and moving the heated air from the heat pump to the area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires.

The present invention further includes an exterior vehicle heating system for melting snow and ice. The exterior vehicle heating system comprises a vehicle having a plurality of wheels with each wheel having a tire, each wheel mounted within a wheel well and each wheel well having a front side and a rear side. A heat pump is mounted within the vehicle with the heat pump generating heated air. A solar system is mounted to the vehicle with the solar system having at least one solar panel having a plurality of solar cells. The at least one solar panel is electrically connected to an inverter box with the inverter box electrically connected to the heat pump. The solar system powers the heat pump. A series of tubing extends from the heat pump to an area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires. At least one opening is formed in the series of tubing at the front side of each wheel well and at least one opening is formed in the series of tubing at the rear side of each wheel well. Each opening is positioned to direct air around the wheel well, wheel, and tire of the vehicle thereby melting snow and ice from around the vehicle wheel. Upon activation of the heat pump, the heated air travels from the heat pump to the area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle incorporating an exterior vehicle heating system, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an interior on/off switch for the exterior vehicle heating system of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior vehicle heating system of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the fuse box, the air tubing, the pump, the inverter box, the actuated air flaps, and the solar panel strip.

FIG. 4 is an elevational side view illustrating heated air distribution around the vehicle wheels using the exterior vehicle heating system of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational side view illustrating a solar panel of the exterior vehicle heating system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the solar panel mounted to a headrest.

FIG. 6a is a rear view illustrating the solar panel of the exterior vehicle heating system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the solar panel mounted to a headrest.

FIG. 6b is an elevational side view illustrating the solar panel of the exterior vehicle heating system constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the solar panel mounted to a headrest.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view illustrating the solar panel of the exterior vehicle heating system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the solar panel mounted in a housing.

FIG. 8 is a rear view illustrating the solar panel of the exterior vehicle heating system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the solar panel mounted to an inside rear deck of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as an Exterior Vehicle Heating System, indicated generally at 10, offers the owners and operators of motor vehicles 12 a practical solution to the aforementioned problems. Simply stated, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 is an exterior vehicle system featuring integrated, solar powered heating elements that are specially designed, on demand, to distribute heat to the areas surrounding the wheels 14 and tires 16 of the vehicle 12.

The Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 of the present invention eludes a heat pump 18 for generating heated air. The heat pump 18 is preferably an electrical heat pump 18 powered by a solar power. The heat pump 18 is connected to an inverter box 20, which is electrically connected to a solar panel 22 having a plurality of solar wells. The solar panel 22 be a solar panel strip, following the curvature of the rear window 24, positioned between two layers of thin glass. In the alternative, as best illustrated in FIG. 5, the solar panel 22 can be mounted to an adjustable frame 26 with the adjustable frame 26 mounted to a rear side of a headrest 28. Or, as best illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b the solar panel 22 can be mounted directly to the rear side of the headrest 28. As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the solar panel 28 can be mounted in a housing with the housing mounted in a desired location on the vehicle 12. Finally, as best illustrated in FIG. 8, the solar panel 22 can be mounted on an inside rear deck of the vehicle 12.

Like standard solar powered fixtures, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 of the present invention uses standard solar cells in a very straightforward application. A single solar cell produces a maximum of 0.45 volts and a varying amount of current, depending on the size of the cell and the amount of light striking the surface. In a panel system such as the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10, therefore, one needs at least four (4) cells wired in series. In the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10, the four (4) cells preferably produce 1.8 volts and a maximum of about 100 milliamps of green energy in full, bright sunlight.

The inverter box 20 of the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 of the present invention is electrically connected to a fuse box 30. The fuse box is electrically connected to a button-operated control box 32, as best illustrated in FIG. 2 positioned in the vehicle's interior on or near the dashboard, which the driver need only press to engage the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10, as will be described in further detail below.

In addition, preferably incorporated into the Vehicle's design at point of manufacture, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 of the present invention includes a series of main tubing 34, in a skeletal shape of the vehicle's undercarriage, so that the main tubing 34 reaches all four corners of the vehicle 12. The main tubing 34 is connected to the heat pump 18 by auxiliary tubing 36 extending between the main tubing 34 and the heat pump 18 such that heated air travels from the heat pump 18, through the auxiliary tubing 36, and into the main tubing 34.

Furthermore, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 of the present invention includes a plurality of openings 38 formed in the main tubing 34. In a preferred embodiment, the main tubing 34 includes an opening 38 at the front and rear of each vehicle wheel 14. The openings 38 are positioned to direct air around the vehicle wheel 14, the tire 16, and the wheel well of the vehicle 14 to melt snow and ice from around the vehicle wheel 14.

The Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 of the present invention also includes an actuated air flap 40 is preferably positioned over each opening 38. The air flap 40 automatically opens when the heated air through the main tubing 34 begins and the air flap 40 automatically doses when the heated air through the main tubing 34 ceases.

When the button-operated control box 32 is engaged by the drive, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 of the present invention is engaged or upon the heat pump 18 being activated automatically upon an outside temperature reaching a predetermined temperature, i.e., below freezing. After a short period, heat is distributed throughout the auxiliary tubing 36 and main tubing 34, loosening and then melting snow and ice away from and around the vehicle wheels 14 and tires 16. As the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 does not compromise tire performance or depend on the vehicle's power system for operation, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 can be engaged while driving. In this manner, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 is able to deflect snow that is driven against a vehicle 14 by a passing snow plow, as well as prevent ice build-up on vehicle wheels 14 and tires 16 so that the vehicle has safer, better traction.

The Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 of the present invention offers users a number of significant benefits and advantages, Foremost, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 provides the owners and operators of motor vehicles 14 a simple and efficient means of protecting their vehicles 14 from exposure to the elements, particularly during the winter months. The Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 eliminates the need to spend precious minutes and hours laboriously bending and scooping away snow. In this manner, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 eradicates one of the most difficult and arduous tasks faced by people who live in snow-prone areas. Relatively simple in application, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System this product would be particularly ideal on early mornings when one may be running late for work. With the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 removing accumulation and freeing wheels 14 and tires 16 from snow, working men and women would be able get out on the road in a quick and expedient manner.

Moreover, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 effectively reduces the risk of painful injury to the back and other muscles as well as prevent heart attacks and strokes from strenuous shoveling. In addition, senior citizens and individuals who suffer from limited physical capabilities would not have to risk injury trying to shovel away snow. Local governments will also appreciate the benefits afforded by the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10. With wide usage. the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 reduces the usage of salt on roads, which is not only extremely expensive but can also cause corrosion and damage to road surfaces. Durably constructed of quality materials, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 will withstand season after season of continual use.

The Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 provides users a handy assist in preventing frost, snow, and ice from accumulating on their vehicle. Effectively battling wintry accumulation, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 proves a favorite commodity of any vehicle owner. Affordably priced, the Exterior Vehicle Heating System 10 will be well received by vehicle owners and operators who reside in snowy climes, as well as the government entities that serve them.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claim. 

1. An exterior vehicle heating system for melting snow and ice, the exterior vehicle heating system comprising: a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, each wheel having a tire, each wheel mounted within a wheel well, each wheel well having a front side and a rear side; a heat pump mounted within the vehicle, the heat pump generating heated air; a solar system mounted to the vehicle, the solar system powering the heat pump; and a series of tubing extending from the heat pump to an area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires; wherein upon activation of the heat pump, the heated air travels from the heat pump to the area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires.
 2. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 1 wherein the heat pump is activated automatically upon an outside temperature reaching a predetermined temperature.
 3. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes an interior area, a dashboard mounted within the interior area, and further comprising: a button-operated control box positioned in the vehicle's interior on or near the dashboard; wherein the heat pump is activated upon the control box being engaged.
 4. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 3 and further comprising: a fuse box connected between the inverter box and the control box.
 5. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 1 wherein the solar system has at least one solar panel having a plurality of solar cells, the at least one solar panel electrically connected to an inverter box which is electrically connected to the heat pump.
 6. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 5 wherein the at least one solar panel is a solar panel strip following the curvature of a rear window in the vehicle, positioned between two layers of glass.
 7. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 5 wherein the at least one solar panel is mounted to an adjustable frame, the adjustable frame mounted to a rear side of a headrest within the vehicle.
 8. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 5 wherein the at least one solar panel is mounted directly to a rear side of a headrest within the vehicle.
 9. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 5 wherein the at least one solar panel is mounted in a housing, the housing mounted in a desired location on the vehicle.
 10. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 5 wherein the at least one solar panel is mounted on an inside rear deck of the vehicle.
 11. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 1 and further comprising: at least one opening formed at the front side of each wheel well; at least one opening formed at the rear side of each wheel well; wherein each opening is positioned to direct air around the wheel well, wheel, and tire of the vehicle thereby melting snow and ice from around the vehicle wheel.
 12. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 11 and further comprising: an actuated air flap positioned over each opening, each air flap automatically opening when the heated air through the series of tubing begins and each air flap automatically closing when the heated air through the series of tubing ceases.
 13. A method for melting snow and ice, the method comprising: providing a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, each wheel having a tire, each wheel mounted within a wheel well, each wheel well having a front side and a rear side; mounting a heat pump within the vehicle; mounting a solar system to the vehicle; powering the heat pump with the solar system; extending a series of tubing from the heat pump to an area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires; activating the heat pump; generating heated air; and moving the heated air from the heat pump to the area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires.
 14. An exterior vehicle heating system for melting snow and ice, the exterior vehicle heating system comprising: a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, each wheel having a tire, each wheel mounted within a wheel well, each wheel well having a front side and a rear side; a heat pump mounted within the vehicle, the heat pump generating heated air; a solar system mounted to the vehicle, the solar system having at least one solar panel having a plurality of solar cells, the at least one solar panel electrically connected to an inverter box, the inverter box electrically connected to the heat pump, the solar system powering the heat pump; a series of tubing extending from the heat pump to an area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires; at least one opening formed in the series of tubing at the front side of each wheel well; and at least one opening formed in the series of tubing at the rear side of each wheel well; wherein each opening is positioned to direct air around the wheel well, wheel, and tire of the vehicle thereby melting snow and ice from around the vehicle wheel; and wherein upon activation of the heat pump, the heated air travels from the heat pump to the area adjacent the wheel wells, the wheels, and the tires.
 15. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 14 wherein the heat pump is activated automatically upon an outside temperature reaching a predetermined temperature.
 16. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 14 wherein the vehicle includes an interior area, a dashboard mounted within the interior area, and further comprising: a button-operated control box positioned in the vehicle's interior on or near the dashboard; wherein the heat pump is activated upon the control box being engaged.
 17. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 14 wherein the at least one solar panel is a solar panel strip following the curvature of a rear window in the vehicle, positioned between two layers of glass.
 18. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 14 wherein the at least one solar panel is mounted to a rear side of a headrest within the vehicle.
 19. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 14 wherein the at least one solar panel is mounted on an inside rear deck of the vehicle.
 20. The exterior vehicle heating system of claim 14 and further comprising: an actuated air flap positioned over each opening, each air flap automatically opening when the heated air through the series of tubing begins and each air flap automatically closing when the heated air through the series of tubing ceases. 